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Upon return from his father’s funeral last month in the Czech Republic, Jiri Hudler vowed to not sit on his ass (his words) and dwell on his grief.

Instead, the Calgary Flames left winger pledged to immerse himself in the most powerful painkiller he knows.

Hockey.

In three games back, Hudler has more than held true to his promise with two goals and three assists on a line with countryman Roman Cervenka and Matt Stajan.

And to think Hudler is pulling this kind of performance off less than two weeks after handling all the arrangements for the late Jiri Hudler Sr., who passed away at age 50.

An only child, Hudler grew up with his dad and his grandmother. So all the paperwork — and all the legalities — fell straight to him.

His showing thus far, particularly under such devastating circumstances has earned the respect of his new colleagues at work.

Not that they didn’t admire him from afar as a long-serving member of the powerhouse Detroit Red Wings.

“I knew playing against him, he was a great player,” says defenceman Mark Giordano. “But playing with him, you notice all the little things and his skill.

“Man, he’s been really good, and he’s been a treat to watch.”

These are early days, but general manager Jay Feaster looks pretty sharp for signing Hudler last summer to a four-year, $16 million contract — even though the deal at the time was harshly criticized by some hockey pundits.

Heck, even Stajan looks born again playing with Hudler.

“He’s got that skillset where it seems like he has that puck on a string,” Stajan says, positively raving. “He has no panic in his game. I think that’s the key. He makes plays. When he feels the pressure, he doesn’t necessarily just throw it away.

“He takes that extra split second that most guys don’t think they have, and he makes the play. That’s something you can’t really teach.”

Keep in mind: Hudler is not exactly physically imposing. He is listed at five-foot-10, 186 pounds, and that’s perhaps a tad optimistic.

“At his size, he brings that patience to the game along with that skill,” Stajan says. “It’s a nice combination to be playing with. He does a good job finding the open ice. He reads the game really well.

“It’s a credit to him. There’s a reason he’s playing at the high level he plays at.”

Alex Tanguay is one of the premier passers in the game, but the Flames centreman found himself on the receiving end of a gorgeous feed from Hudler in last Thursday’s 6-3 loss to the Colorado Avalanche.

“He’s got very high hockey IQ, especially in the offensive zone,” Tanguay says. “A player his size has to have the ability to get into open areas and get to the loose puck.

“With the hands he’s got and the vision he’s got, it’s certainly going to be a big plus for this team. It’s good to have him on our side.”

While the Flames are mired in 30th place (albeit with games in hand on every NHL team), Hudler is also counted on to provide leadership. His words, as 2008 Stanley Cup champion, automatically carry weight in the dressing room.

His take on the 3-2 shootout loss Saturday to Chicago?

“There’s nothing you can do now,” he says. “You’ve got to forget about it real soon, because if you’re going to be biting your nails, it’s not going to help, right?

“We’ve got a lot of games coming up. Just look forward. Don’t look back. Just play your game. If we’re going to play like we did against Chicago, we’re going to be fine.”

As for Hudler, he expects (eventually) feel fine, Tuesday night in his maiden visit to the Joe Louis Arena as a member of the opposition.

When his dad died, Hudler received countless phone calls and messages from the folks in the Detroit Red Wings organization to offer support and condolences.

“Obviously, I want to win so bad,” he says. “We need the points, and it’s the first time going back. I’ve got a lot of good friends there, and it’s going to be a lot of fun. But at the same time, we need a lot of points.

“I don’t get over excited, right, because it’s going to get you off your game. But at the same time, I know that building. I played there for the last seven seasons, so it’s going to be something special for the first shift.

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Hudler using hockey as therapy ahead of first meeting against old team

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